Designed and built by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Law_Olmsted" target="_blank">Frederick Law Olmsted</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvert_Vaux" target="_blank">Calvert Vaux </a>in 1867, <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/" target="_blank">Prospect Park</a> is filled with forests, waterfalls, lawns, and lakes, where residents once had unobstructed access to the waterfront. Then, in 1960, <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/visit/places/wollman_rink_closed">Wollman Rink</a> was built on the eastern shore of Prospect Park's lake, completely obstructing the view Olmsted worked so hard to create. But a new project, aptly named <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/about/lakeside" target="_blank">Lakeside</a>, is currently underway that will restore the lake's waterfront to its original beauty while also renovating 26 acres of parkland. The <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/about/lakeside" target="_blank">Lakeside project</a> will add three new acres of green space to the park, and it will feature a LEED certified year-round recreational facility built by <a href="http://www.twbta.com/" target="_blank">Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects</a>.

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Prospect Park Lakeside Project

The highlight of the $74 million <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/about/lakeside" target="_blank">Lakeside</a> project is the new 25,000 square foot facility. The old ice skating rink was only open during the winter, meaning that the whole area remained unused for most of the year. The new facility will have <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/about/lakeside/lakeside-season" target="_blank">two outdoor rinks</a>, one covered and one not, meaning that residents will be able to skate year-round. In the winter, the rinks will be used for ice skating and hockey.

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Prospect Park Lakeside Project

In the warmer months, Lakeside's outdoor rinks will host water activities and roller skating. The LEED-seeking building will also have a cafe with an open dining area and new spaces for environmental learning.

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Prospect Park Lakeside Project

A new boat dock will be built where visitors can rent paddle boats to explore the lake, and some 15,000 square feet of viewing terraces will provide direct access to the water's edge.

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Prospect Park Lakeside Project

A new promenade will meander on the lake's shore, allowing walkers and joggers to enjoy the waterfront.

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Prospect Park Lakeside Project

Other renovations include changes to the park's entrance that will reduce vehicular traffic and increase pedestrian safety.

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Prospect Park Lakeside Project

Lakeside broke ground last December, and it is expected to be open to the public by January 2013. You can follow Lakeside's <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/about/lakeside/lakeside-construction" target="_blank">construction updates here</a>.

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Prospect Park Lakeside Project

Designed and built by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1867, Prospect Park is filled with forests, waterfalls, lawns, and lakes, where residents once had unobstructed access to the waterfront. Then, in 1960, Wollman Rink was built on the eastern shore of Prospect Park's lake, completely obstructing the view Olmsted worked so hard to create. But a new project, aptly named Lakeside, is currently underway that will restore the lake's waterfront to its original beauty while also renovating 26 acres of parkland. The Lakeside project will add three new acres of green space to the park, and it will feature a LEED certified year-round recreational facility built by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.